Jewelry + Metals Courses

BFA Statement + Exhibition is a hybrid seminar/studio course that builds on the research and thesis work developed in Core 5. Research, exploration, and experimentation culminate with the presentation of the statement and the BFA exhibition. The seminar includes discussions, presentations, readings, and writing assignments which vary to recognize the direction of the group and formal issues and conceptual challenges. The subject, research, and writing for the thesis and BFA statement are further developed during the spring semester with the statement and body of work completed for the BFA exhibition and review. The course includes field trips and artist studio visits to offer the students critical, historical, and contemporary points of reflection. The course also addresses the planning and preparation toward career goals including goals statements, resume review, and digital presentations by each senior. Required of all graduating Craft + Material Culture majors. Offered spring. Open to electives.

This course is designed to assist the student in preparing their short exhibition statement, BFA Thesis Paper and in general prepare for their final BFA Exhibition and Defense. In the BFA Thesis Paper, students are asked to examine their work and thinking within varied frameworks. This paper is meant to prepare the student for their BFA Oral Defense and provide the foundation for professional proposals beyond graduation. It is an opportunity for an in-depth consideration of work and personal studio practice. The length of the Thesis Statement Paper varies but excluding endnotes, bibliography, illustrations and other addenda, the paper should be no fewer than 1500 words and no more than 2500 words. Within the paper and among other questions, students are expected to address: “What is the work? What is the reasonable expectation for how it will be received by a given audience? What is the work’s historical and contemporary context? What are the sources for the work? What choices were made in realizing the work and how to they contribute to the reception of the work?” This course is open to all seniors regardless of major and is required by all Visual Arts Seniors. Offered spring.